Last Updated on November 21, 2024 by Tracey Roberts
Becoming a British citizen by marriage is a major milestone, bringing with it many benefits, including the right to live and work permanently in the United Kingdom. For those married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, there is a specific pathway to citizenship through naturalisation.
This article outlines the key requirements, application process, and factors to consider for those wishing to obtain British citizenship through marriage.
Main Points:
- To apply for British citizenship by marriage, applicants must meet several key eligibility criteria.
- Timing is crucial when applying for British citizenship by marriage.
- By meeting the eligibility requirements, including residency and language criteria, applicants can take a significant step toward securing their future in the United Kingdom.
For hundreds of years, foreign nationals living in the UK, and sometimes living abroad, have been able to attain British citizenship through naturalisation.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet several eligibility criteria to apply for British citizenship by marriage. First and foremost, they must be over 18 years of age and be married to, or in a legally recognised civil partnership with, a British citizen. You also need to have lived in the UK for at least three years before the date of application.
As well as the three-year residency requirement, you will need one of the following immigration statuses:
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): This status allows individuals to live in the UK without any time restrictions.
- Settled Status: This is particularly relevant for EU citizens and is equivalent to ILR under the EU Settlement Scheme.
- Indefinite Leave to Enter: This is granted to those given permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad.
Applicants must prove they were physically present in the UK exactly three years before their application date and have not spent more than 270 days outside the UK during this period or more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months before the application date. They must also demonstrate knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic, pass the “Life in the UK” test, and meet the “good character” criteria, which evaluates an applicant’s criminal record, financial integrity, and adherence to UK laws.
One can only apply for a British passport after the Home Office has approved the applicant as a British citizen.
READ | How Strong is the UK Passport?
Application Process and Timeline
The process to apply for a British Passport as a British citizen by marriage from abraod is as follows:
- Fill in our easy online application form.
- Complete your secure online payment via debit or credit card. Our payments are powered
by Stripe – the world’s most secure payment gateway. - Our experts will check your forms & documents and finalise the application on your behalf.
- We arrange safe & fast shipment of documents to the relevant government office in the UK.
- Your British passport passport is delivered directly to your doorstep.
A first-time British passport application takes 4-6 weeks, but this lead time can vary depending on seasonal fluctuations.
When using U.K.ABROAD’s services, we ensure that all paperwork is accurate, up-to-date, and correctly submitted, which will help reduce the likelihood of delays or rejections.
U.K.ABROAD made the process so easy to get my passport. They made sure everything was correct and ready to go, I am sure that if I tried on my own the process would have taken much longer. Having all my documents and paperwork reviewed before being sent was a huge help! I would have most certainly missed or sent something incorrectly. I will definitely be back at renewal time!
Special Considerations for Applicants with Children
For applicants with children under the age of 18, your child may already be a British citizen if they were born in the UK and have a British parent. This automatic citizenship applies to most children born in the UK under these conditions, making separate applications unnecessary. However, if the child was born outside of the UK, further steps may be required to secure citizenship.
READ | Tips for applying for a British Passport for a Child Born Abroad
Conclusion
Applying for a British passport as a British citizen through marriage offers a unique path for those with established roots in the UK through their spouse. By meeting the eligibility requirements, applicants can take a significant step toward securing their future in the United Kingdom.
